WHO is supporting this campaign?  Co-leaders: EWSWA and the City of Windsor.  Supported by: our collectors- GFL, WDS, County of Essex, EWSWA Board members, City of Windsor Council.

WHAT is the campaign about?  No plastic bags are recycled in Essex-Windsor- period!  Includes plastic bags with recycling loops (symbols) on them.  This means recycling will not be picked up if bags are found by the collectors - in any recycling receptacles like carts and bins.  Bags can’t be used as a recycling container (e.g., a plastic bag containing shredded paper- instead use a paper bag) or put loose (e.g., frozen plastic food bag) in recycling curbside collection.  To better guide you, 4 forms that plastic bags may come in: 1. Plastic Bags: plastic bags, bread bags, milk bags, newspaper bags, etc. 2. Plastic Wrap: plastic overwrap on ‘cased’ bottle drinks – like water, cling wrap, cheese wrap, etc. 3. Plastic Pouches/Tubes: food pouches, cracker pouches, drink pouches, etc. 4. Plastic Packaging: air pillows, toy packaging, shipping peanuts, etc.

Visit ewswa.org for more details.

NOTE: EWSWA will still be collecting plastic containers and bottles that are loose in your bin/cart as per usual service. Visit-Ewswa.org for more information.

WHEN does this start?  June 1st, 2020, is the official ban for plastic bags, where collectors will not pick-up recycle bins/carts if bags are visible.  A campaign to support this ban starts at the end of March with the publication of Windsor calendars and a press release and a massive media campaign and promotions at events and the annual Truckload Sale.

Where is the campaign?  It affects all users of the Essex County and Windsor curbside recycling collection program.  It spans across all sectors: residents, public, private, multi-res, ICI (Industrial, Commercial and Institutional).

EWSWA / ewswa.org / [email protected] / @ewswa / 1-800-563-3377 pg. 1

Why is this campaign happening?  Essex-Windsor’s recycling program has never recycled these materials.  Due to an emphasis on clean recycling by domestic buyers and a massive increase in the use of plastics in today’s packaging market, an official ban that enforced this program was needed.  The recycling plant is not designed to process plastic bags and cause operational issues (e.g., increase downtime, maintenance, repairs, contamination), increase contamination levels in final end markets and disposal costs.  Plastic bags that reach the recycling plants use additional labour to be pulled out of the recycling stream and then hauled later to the Essex-Windsor Regional Landfill where they are disposed of as waste.  Many municipalities who once recycled plastic film have stopped as a result of operational and marketing issues they faced.

Q1. What do I use instead of a plastic bag to put my recyclables in for curbside collection?

If they are using plastic bags as an overflow receptacle:  Buy an extra recycle box.  Drop off excess recyclables at 1 of 3 Drop-off Depots for free.  Residents can purchase 35 gal carts and recycle boxes at the Annual Truckload Sale (May 3, 2020). There will be a BOGO (buy one, get one free) sale for recycle boxes.

If they are using plastic bags as recycling boxes inside and out for curbside collection:  Buy an additional recycle box/ mini box (3 gal). The minis fit perfectly under a sink or cabinet – and can easily be emptied into a recycle box/cart).  Drop off excess recyclables at 1 of 3 Drop-off Depots for free.  35 gal carts and a BOGO sale on recycle boxes will be available at the Annual Truckload Sale (May 3, 2020).

If they use plastic bags to combat inclement weather (e.g., winds, rain):  Buy a recycle cart or an extra recycle box.  Drop off excess recyclables at 1 of 3 Drop-off Depots for free.  35 gal carts and a BOGO sale on recycle boxes will be available at the Annual Truckload Sale (May 3, 2020).

Q2. I buy the blue recycling plastic bags from the store – I can’t use these anymore?  These are NOT accepted in the program. Don’t use them, the recycle centre disposes of them to the Essex-Windsor Regional Landfill as waste.  Do NOT buy these bags and save your money- Keep items loose in recycle boxes/carts.  Recycle Boxes are cheaper and last longer; they are reusable.  Plastic bags are wasteful and made of petroleum (a non-renewable resource).  Only use extra plastic bags to contain waste where necessary (e.g., dog poop, garbage).  The recycling loop (recycle symbol) does not mean it’s recyclable in our community.  Each community has a specific program – Essex-Windsor does NOT accept plastic bags.

Q3. Why are companies allowed to sell them?  We deal with municipal recycling, not corporate/international companies.  We have no control over what a company (e.g., SC Johnson) sells.  Many of these companies are international, and in other countries or communities’ regulations on plastic bags may be different.

EWSWA / ewswa.org / [email protected] / @ewswa / 1-800-563-3377 pg. 2

Q4. If I can’t use a plastic bag as a receptacle, I’m not going to recycle anymore.  We are not trying to make recycling difficult. The bottom line is that they are contaminants in the recycling program and cause many issues both operationally and at the marketing level.  Plastic bags cause issues at our plants, which costs the taxpayer.  We appreciate your continued support in making our recycling program a success.

Q5. What plastics can be recycled?  Plastic bottles and jars/ jugs– food grade/ bathroom/laundry.  Plastic bottles and jars can include water bottles, shampoo bottles, bleach jugs, fabric softener jugs, etc.  Plastic clamshell containers – clear (e.g., cookies, muffins).  Resources: EWSWA.org, Recycle Coach App., EWSWA Social media (Facebook, Twitter).

Q6. I live in an apartment/condo how do I get my recyclables to the remote cart location?  Dump recyclables into the cart – do not put plastic bags into the recycling cart.  Use a reusable bag – dump the recyclables in the cart.  BOGO recycle bags will be available at the Annual Truckload Sale (May 3, 2020).  Ask Property Manager for a garbage receptacle near recycling carts for plastic bag disposal.

Q7. Businesses – we use plastic bags to line the boxes?  Keep your liner in the box and dump items in the box directly into carts.  Do not include the plastic liner.

Q8. How to avoid plastic bags, plastic wrap, plastic pouches/tubes, and plastic packaging.  Bring and use reusable bags for groceries.  Use paper/reusable bags and/or cardboard boxes to carry out purchased items.  Use reusable vegetable bags instead of single-use plastic bags.  Shop with reusable containers at the Bulk Barn.

Q9. The Windsor Star is packaged in a plastic bag – what do I do with it?  The blue plastic bag that the Windsor Star is packaged in - is garbage if you have no use for it. Please dispose of it properly in the garbage.

EWSWA / ewswa.org / [email protected] / @ewswa / 1-800-563-3377 pg. 3